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Glossary Of Photography Terms [36]

A Abstract art An art style that avoids realistic and recognizable imagery, and instead depicts emotion through compositions of color and shape. Abstract art began to shift to the mainstream around the turn of the 20th century, as artists sought new ways to express their interpretations of the world.
Acrylic Glass Often called plexiglass (derived from the brand name Plexiglas), acrylic glass is often used in as the clear cover or “glazing” in framing. It is lighter than real (silicate) glass and allows for a clearer, untinted view of the artwork behind it. It does not shatter and can be treated to be archival and UV-resistant.For more information see our article : Acrylic vs Glass To order Custom-cut plexi sheets click here: Plexi Sheets
Acrylic resin A group of related thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic substances
Action Camera An action camera is a highly portable and durable device designed to capture high-energy, fast-paced activities such as extreme sports, adventures, and outdoor pursuits. These compact cameras are engineered to withstand rugged environments, including water, dust, and impact, making them ideal companions for adrenaline-filled adventures. Equipped with wide-angle lenses and advanced stabilization technology, action cameras excel at capturing dynamic movements and immersive perspectives, allowing photographers and videographers to document exhilarating moments with remarkable clarity and detail. Whether strapped to a helmet, mounted on a bike, or submerged underwater, action cameras empower users to capture the thrill of the moment from unique and immersive angles, delivering compelling visual narratives that ignite the spirit of adventure.
Adding Filters Adding filters to photographs is a versatile technique used by photographers to enhance visual aesthetics and evoke specific moods or emotions. Filters can be physical attachments mounted on the camera lens or digital overlays applied during post-processing. These tools offer a wide range of creative possibilities, allowing photographers to adjust color tones, improve contrast, reduce glare, enhance textures, or introduce artistic effects such as soft focus or vignetting. From enhancing the warmth of golden hour landscapes to infusing portraits with timeless elegance, filters enable photographers to express their artistic vision and transform ordinary scenes into captivating works of art, imbued with depth, emotion, and narrative resonance.
Adjusting Contrast Adjusting contrast in photography involves fine-tuning the distribution of light and dark tones within an image to enhance visual impact and depth. By manipulating the relative brightness levels of highlights and shadows, photographers can emphasize texture, shape, and dimensionality, resulting in images that captivate the viewer's attention and evoke a sense of drama and intensity. Whether accentuating the intricate details of architectural structures or highlighting the contours of a rugged landscape, contrast adjustments enable photographers to infuse their images with dynamic energy and visual dynamism, elevating the narrative power and emotional resonance of their work.
Adjusting Exposure Adjusting exposure is a fundamental aspect of photography that involves controlling the amount of light that reaches the camera sensor to achieve optimal brightness and detail in an image. By regulating key parameters such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO sensitivity, photographers can ensure proper exposure across a wide range of lighting conditions, from bright sunlight to low-light environments. Whether capturing the soft glow of a sunset or the vibrant hustle and bustle of a city street at night, precise exposure adjustments empower photographers to faithfully render the mood, atmosphere, and nuances of the scene with clarity and precision, resulting in images that resonate with depth, warmth, and visual authenticity.
Adjusting Saturation Adjusting saturation in photography involves manipulating the intensity and purity of colors within an image to evoke specific emotions and enhance visual impact. By selectively boosting or reducing the saturation levels of individual hues, photographers can infuse their images with vibrant energy, evoke nostalgic warmth, or create surreal dreamscapes that transport viewers to otherworldly realms. From the lush greens of a verdant forest to the fiery hues of a blazing sunset, saturation adjustments allow photographers to amplify the emotional resonance and aesthetic allure of their images, transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary visual experiences that linger in the mind long after they are viewed.
Adjusting White Balance Adjusting white balance is a critical aspect of photography that involves calibrating the color temperature of an image to accurately reproduce the true colors of the scene as perceived by the human eye. By fine-tuning white balance settings, photographers can neutralize unwanted color casts caused by different light sources, ensuring that colors appear natural and true-to-life across a variety of lighting conditions, from daylight to artificial indoor illumination. Whether capturing the soft, golden glow of a sunrise or the cool, ethereal light of a moonlit night, precise white balance adjustments enable photographers to faithfully convey the mood, atmosphere, and emotional resonance of the scene, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of colors and textures that define the world around them.
Adjustment Brush An adjustment brush is a powerful tool commonly found in photo editing software that allows photographers to selectively apply adjustments to specific areas of an image. With the adjustment brush, photographers can precisely control parameters such as exposure, contrast, saturation, and sharpness, painting these adjustments onto targeted areas of the photograph. This level of selective editing offers photographers unparalleled creative control, enabling them to enhance details, correct imperfections, and fine-tune the overall aesthetic of their images with precision and subtlety.
Adjustment Layer An adjustment layer is a non-destructive editing tool utilized in graphic design and photo editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom. Unlike direct adjustments made to an image layer, adjustment layers allow photographers to apply edits and modifications in a separate layer above the original image. This non-destructive workflow preserves the integrity of the original image, allowing photographers to experiment with various adjustments, blend modes, and opacities without permanently altering the underlying pixels. Adjustment layers offer a flexible and versatile approach to image editing, empowering photographers to fine-tune color, contrast, tone, and other attributes with precision and control.
Adobe An international software company based in the USA that produces creative multimedia programs for all kinds of artistic operations. Adobe products include: Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, InDesign, Lightroom, Soundbooth, Bridge, and many more.
Adobe Camera Raw Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) is a powerful software plugin and standalone application developed by Adobe Systems for processing and editing raw image files captured by digital cameras. Integrated seamlessly with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Camera Raw provides photographers with a comprehensive set of tools and controls for optimizing exposure, white balance, contrast, clarity, and other essential parameters directly from the raw data captured by the camera sensor. By harnessing the full potential of raw image data, photographers can achieve unparalleled image quality, detail, and fidelity, unlocking new creative possibilities and pushing the boundaries of their artistic vision.
Adobe Lightroom Adobe Lightroom is a leading software application designed for organizing, editing, and enhancing digital photographs. With its intuitive interface and powerful editing tools, Lightroom streamlines the photography workflow, allowing photographers to import, organize, and manage large collections of images with ease. From basic adjustments such as exposure and color correction to advanced techniques like selective editing and batch processing, Lightroom offers photographers a comprehensive suite of tools for transforming raw images into stunning works of art. With its non-destructive editing capabilities and seamless integration with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Camera Raw, Lightroom empowers photographers to unleash their creativity and bring their vision to life with precision and authenticity.
Adobe Photoshop Adobe Photoshop is the industry-standard software application for digital image editing and manipulation. Renowned for its unparalleled versatility and creative potential, Photoshop offers photographers and graphic designers a vast array of tools and features for retouching, compositing, and transforming images with precision and control. Whether performing intricate retouching tasks, creating complex digital artworks, or designing captivating visual compositions, Photoshop provides photographers with the tools they need to unleash their creativity and bring their artistic visions to fruition. From basic adjustments to advanced techniques, Photoshop empowers photographers to push the boundaries of their craft and explore new realms of expression and innovation.
Adobe RGB Adobe RGB is a widely used color space developed by Adobe Systems, optimized for preserving and reproducing a wide range of colors in digital images. With a larger color gamut than the more common sRGB color space, Adobe RGB is particularly well-suited for professional photography and print production, enabling photographers to capture and preserve the full spectrum of colors present in their images with greater accuracy and fidelity. By working in the Adobe RGB color space, photographers can ensure that their images retain their vibrant hues and subtle nuances when viewed on a variety of devices and reproduced in print, maintaining the integrity of their creative vision from capture to final output.
Aliasing Aliasing in photography refers to a phenomenon where high-frequency patterns or details in an image appear distorted or misrepresented due to limitations in the sampling rate of the camera sensor or image processing algorithms. When the resolution of the sensor is insufficient to accurately capture fine details, aliasing artifacts such as moiré patterns, jagged edges, or false colors may occur, resulting in a loss of image clarity and fidelity. Aliasing is particularly noticeable in images containing intricate patterns, textiles, or repetitive structures, where the sensor's sampling grid interacts with the subject matter, causing unwanted visual distortions. To mitigate aliasing effects, photographers may employ techniques such as using optical low-pass filters, increasing sensor resolution, or applying post-processing algorithms designed to reduce aliasing artifacts and preserve image quality.
Aluminyzed Prints Aluminyze prints are images infused directly into a sheet of aluminium using a hot press - a process called sublimation. The result? A vibrant and durable print with unparalleled colour and depth.
Ambient Light Ambient light in photography refers to the natural or existing light present in a scene, which illuminates the subject without the use of artificial lighting sources such as flash or strobes. Unlike controlled studio lighting, ambient light is characterized by its variability, intensity, color temperature, and direction, all of which influence the mood, atmosphere, and visual impact of the photograph. Whether diffused by clouds on an overcast day, streaming through windows in a dimly lit room, or casting long shadows during golden hour, ambient light plays a crucial role in shaping the aesthetic qualities and narrative context of the image. By understanding the characteristics of ambient light and how it interacts with the subject, photographers can effectively harness its inherent qualities to create compelling compositions, evoke specific emotions, and convey a sense of place and time within their photographs.
Angle of View The angle of view in photography refers to the extent of the scene captured by the camera lens, expressed in degrees or as a diagonal, horizontal, or vertical measurement. Determined by the focal length of the lens and the size of the camera sensor, the angle of view dictates the spatial relationship between objects within the frame and influences the perceived perspective, depth, and composition of the photograph. Wide-angle lenses have a broader angle of view, allowing photographers to capture expansive landscapes, architectural structures, or group portraits with greater depth and context. In contrast, telephoto lenses offer a narrower angle of view, enabling photographers to isolate distant subjects and compress the perspective, emphasizing details and minimizing distractions within the frame. By selecting lenses with different focal lengths and understanding their corresponding angles of view, photographers can effectively control the visual dynamics and narrative impact of their images, crafting compositions that resonate with depth, drama, and visual intrigue.
ANSI The American National Standards Institute. This national group determines the guidelines governing a wide variety of commercially produced goods.
Anti-Shake Anti-shake, also known as image stabilization, is a technology implemented in camera systems to minimize the effects of camera shake and motion blur caused by handheld shooting or unstable shooting conditions. By compensating for subtle movements of the camera during exposure, anti-shake mechanisms help ensure sharper, clearer images, especially when using slower shutter speeds or telephoto lenses prone to magnifying motion blur. There are various methods of anti-shake technology, including optical stabilization, sensor-shift stabilization, and digital stabilization, each designed to counteract camera movement and maintain image sharpness in different shooting scenarios. Whether capturing fast-paced action scenes, low-light environments, or telephoto subjects at long distances, anti-shake systems empower photographers to achieve consistently sharp and blur-free images, even under challenging shooting conditions, enhancing the overall quality and usability of their photographic work.
Antiquing The act of making something look old (antique), by scratching, painting, buffing chemical or digital alteration.
Aperture Aperture refers to the opening in a lens through which light passes to reach the camera's sensor. It is measured in f-stops, with lower f-stop numbers indicating larger apertures and higher f-stop numbers indicating smaller apertures. Aperture plays a crucial role in photography by controlling the amount of light that enters the camera, which affects the exposure of the image. A larger aperture (smaller f-stop number) lets in more light, resulting in a brighter image and shallower depth of field, where the foreground is sharp while the background is blurred. Conversely, a smaller aperture (higher f-stop number) allows less light, resulting in a darker image and a greater depth of field, where more of the scene is in focus. Aperture also influences the quality of the out-of-focus areas in an image, known as bokeh.
Aperture Priority Mode Aperture Priority Mode, often abbreviated as "A" or "Av" on camera mode dials, is a semi-automatic shooting mode available on many digital cameras. In this mode, the photographer manually sets the desired aperture value, while the camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed to achieve a proper exposure based on the selected aperture and the camera's metering system. Aperture priority mode is favored by photographers who prioritize controlling depth of field, as it allows them to determine the size of the lens opening (aperture) to regulate the amount of light entering the camera and influence the focus range from foreground to background. By adjusting the aperture, photographers can achieve creative effects such as shallow depth of field for portraits or landscapes, or deep depth of field for architectural or landscape photography. Aperture Priority Mode offers a flexible approach to exposure control, empowering photographers to concentrate on composition and creative vision while the camera handles exposure adjustments automatically.
Apple Photos Apple Photos is a software application developed by Apple Inc., designed for organizing, editing, and sharing digital photographs and videos across Apple devices. Integrated seamlessly with the macOS and iOS operating systems, Apple Photos provides users with a centralized hub for managing their multimedia content, including images imported from digital cameras, smartphones, and other sources. With features such as intelligent organization, facial recognition, and automated photo editing tools, Apple Photos simplifies the process of cataloging and enhancing personal photo libraries, making it easy for users to locate and relive cherished memories. Additionally, Apple Photos offers seamless integration with iCloud, allowing users to synchronize their photo libraries across multiple devices and share content with friends and family through shared albums and online galleries. Whether browsing through a collection of vacation snapshots or creating personalized photo projects, Apple Photos provides users with a user-friendly and intuitive platform for preserving and sharing life's most precious moments.
APS-C Sensor An APS-C sensor is a type of digital image sensor commonly used in many digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) and mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. Named for the "Advanced Photo System" format from which it originated, an APS-C sensor is smaller than a full-frame sensor but larger than a Micro Four Thirds sensor, with dimensions typically around 22.2 × 14.8 mm. APS-C sensors offer a balance between compact size and image quality, providing photographers with excellent image resolution, dynamic range, and low-light performance while allowing camera manufacturers to produce smaller and lighter camera bodies. With their crop factor, APS-C sensors effectively increase the effective focal length of lenses compared to full-frame sensors, making them popular among photographers seeking additional reach for telephoto and zoom photography. APS-C sensor cameras are widely used by enthusiasts, professionals, and hobbyists alike for a wide range of photographic applications, from portraits and landscapes to sports and wildlife photography.
Arch Mat The mat opening is cut in the shape of an arch; a rectangle or square with a curved top line/side. A popular display for wedding photographs.
Archival Ink Pigment inks designed for longevity. These inks resist fading and produce conservation-grade prints that will last for decades.
Archival Paper Acid-free options for fine art papers and matboard are generally made with 100% cotton rag fiber, to withstand discoloration and fading for decades. Also called "conservation grade." Many of our papers are archival quality. Order online: Fine Art Prints
Archival Products Any professional-grade fine art paper, mat board, backing or acrylic that is acid-free and constructed to maintain its color and condition, and protect the artwork, for approximately 100 years.
Archiving Photos Archiving photos refers to the process of systematically organizing, storing, and preserving digital image files for long-term access and retrieval. Effective photo archiving involves establishing a structured system for categorizing and indexing images based on criteria such as date, location, subject matter, or event, facilitating efficient browsing and retrieval of specific photographs when needed. Common methods of photo archiving include organizing images into folders or albums, assigning descriptive metadata tags, and using dedicated photo management software or cloud-based storage services to safeguard files against loss, corruption, or accidental deletion. By implementing a comprehensive archiving strategy, photographers can safeguard their digital assets, streamline workflow efficiency, and ensure the longevity and accessibility of their photographic collections for future generations to enjoy and appreciate.
Artifacts In photography, artifacts refer to unwanted distortions, imperfections, or anomalies that occur in digital images as a result of compression, processing, or other factors. Artifacts can manifest in various forms, including pixelation, banding, noise, moiré patterns, or color shifts, and may degrade image quality, clarity, and detail. Common sources of artifacts include aggressive image compression algorithms, improper exposure settings, low-quality lenses, or limitations inherent in digital sensor technology. While some artifacts may be minor and barely perceptible, others can significantly detract from the visual appeal and authenticity of the photograph. Minimizing artifacts often requires careful attention to technical settings, proper exposure and focus techniques, and judicious use of post-processing tools to preserve image quality and integrity throughout the photographic workflow.
Artwork Width When ordering a frame, you will be asked to provide a “width” measurement. This is always the horizontal measurement of the artwork you are framing. Measure your piece from left to right. It is important to ensure the ruler or measuring tape is straight (the same distance from the top on each side) and the recorded measurement is accurate to within 1/16th of an inch.
Aspect Ratio The relationship between the height of your photo or artwork to its length is called the aspect ratio.
Auto Focus (Autofocus) Auto focus, often abbreviated as AF, is a camera feature that automatically adjusts the lens focus to achieve sharpness and clarity in the captured image. In autofocus mode, the camera's autofocus system utilizes various sensors, algorithms, and focusing mechanisms to analyze the scene and determine the optimal focus point based on factors such as distance, contrast, and subject movement. Autofocus systems can employ different focusing modes, including single-shot autofocus (AF-S), continuous autofocus (AF-C), and automatic selection autofocus (AF-A), to accommodate different shooting scenarios and subject types. Whether capturing fast-moving action, tracking subjects in motion, or achieving precise focus in low-light conditions, autofocus technology enables photographers to achieve consistently sharp and well-focused images with ease and efficiency, freeing them to concentrate on composition and creative expression without the need for manual focus adjustments.